The Independent Methodist Association (incorporated)

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £252,581 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £412,912 (2024)
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: UK and international (with emphasis on North of England)
• Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: The Resource Centre, Fleet Street, Wigan, Lancashire, WN5 0DS

Phone: 01942 223526

Email: resource.centre@imchurches.org.uk

Website: imchurches.org.uk

First Point of Contact: Financial Administrator (for advice regarding availability of Connexional finance)

Overview

The Independent Methodist Association (Incorporated) was founded and incorporated on 27 February 1907 as the umbrella charity for the Independent Methodist Connexion of Churches. The charity exists to promote the extension of the Christian faith in the United Kingdom and internationally through worship, education and social action in accordance with the principles and practices of the Independent Methodist Connexion. With a network of 63 churches serving 1,171 members (as of 2023), primarily in the North of England, the Association operates as a resource body providing grants to churches, missions, ministers, and students within their connexion. The charity is governed by 18 trustees and supported by 25 volunteers, with the Resource Centre in Wigan serving as the hub for all Connexional work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Independent Methodist Association operates several linked charitable funds, each with specific purposes:

• Extension and Debt Reduction Fund: Makes grants to new causes connected with Independent Methodist Churches to spread their principles and to assist churches and missions to reduce debts or extend premises. Also provides grants or loans for extension of property, expansion of facilities, or repairs to existing buildings.

• Ministers Assistance Fund: Provides financial aid to ministers in necessitous circumstances.

• Overseas Mission Fund: Uses income for engaging and training missionaries for overseas service.

• William Burrows Education Fund: Advances the education of connexional ministers and students preparing for the Independent Methodist ministry. Provides financial assistance to those sponsored by churches for training and education in preparation for Christian service.

• F and B Tetlow Fund: Grant-making fund (specific purposes not publicly detailed)

• M M and W W Kay Fund: Makes grants available to young people aged 12 to 23 years for activities of an evangelical nature.

• Women's Auxiliary Benevolent Fund: Grant-making fund (specific purposes not publicly detailed)

Priority Areas

• Independent Methodist Churches seeking to reduce debts or extend premises
• Building projects including property extension, facility expansion, and repairs
• Training and education of ministers and those preparing for Christian service
• Missionary work and overseas mission activities
• Ministers in financial need
• Young people (aged 12-23) for evangelical activities
• New causes intended to be connected with Independent Methodist Churches

What They Don't Fund

Based on their restricted objects, the Association does not fund:

• Organizations or causes not connected with Independent Methodist principles and practices
• Projects outside the scope of worship, education, and social action as defined by the Independent Methodist Connexion
• General applications from organizations outside the Independent Methodist network

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 18 trustees who are responsible for controlling the work, management and administration of the charity. No trustees receive remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Key Governance Structure:

• Finance Committee: Reviews grant applications
• Connexional Committee: Approves grant decisions
• Financial Administrator: First point of contact for advice regarding Connexional finance and processes grant applications through the committees (can process between formal meetings if necessary)

The charity's governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association, which has been amended several times since incorporation (most recently in 2024, with previous amendments in 2022, 2020, 2019, 1967, and 1923).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Independent Methodist Association primarily makes grants to churches, missions, ministers, and individuals within the Independent Methodist Connexion.

Grants and loans are typically awarded through:

• Applications from member churches of the Independent Methodist Connexion
• Requests processed through the Financial Administrator
• Review by the Finance Committee and approval by the Connexional Committee
• Emergency provisions allow processing between formal committee meetings when necessary

Those seeking financial support should contact the Financial Administrator via the Resource Centre as the first point of contact for advice regarding the availability of Connexional finance.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Applications are processed through the Finance Committee and Connexional Committee, with provisions for processing between formal meetings when necessary, suggesting some flexibility in urgent cases.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No information is publicly available regarding reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Since this funder operates within the Independent Methodist Connexion rather than accepting general public applications, success factors relate to:

Connection to the Connexion: Applicants must be connected with or intended to be connected with Independent Methodist Churches. The charity's objects are specifically restricted to supporting causes that align with Independent Methodist principles and practices.

Alignment with Fund Purposes: Different funds serve specific purposes (ministerial assistance, education, overseas mission, youth activities, building projects). Ensuring your need aligns with the appropriate fund is essential.

Contact with Financial Administrator: The Financial Administrator serves as the first point of contact and can provide advice on availability of finance and appropriate application routes.

Committee Process: Applications are reviewed by the Finance Committee and Connexional Committee, suggesting that well-documented cases with clear connexional relevance are likely to be more successful.

Flexibility for Urgent Cases: The provision for processing applications between formal committee meetings suggests that urgent or time-sensitive needs may receive expedited consideration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an open grant-maker: The Independent Methodist Association serves its own connexion of churches rather than accepting general applications from the public
• Multiple specialized funds: With seven linked funds, ensure you understand which fund (if any) aligns with your specific need
• Start with the Financial Administrator: This is your first point of contact for advice on availability of finance and the application process
• Connexional connection required: You must be connected with or intending to connect with Independent Methodist Churches to be eligible
• Significant resources for the denomination: With annual expenditure exceeding £400,000, the Association represents substantial support for its 63 churches and 1,171 members
• Dual role as umbrella body: The Association acts both as grant-maker and as resource/support organization for the Independent Methodist Connexion
• Long-established: Founded in 1907, the charity has over a century of experience supporting Independent Methodist work

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: THE INDEPENDENT METHODIST ASSOCIATION (INCORPORATED), Charity Number 254007. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/254007/full-print (Accessed: December 2, 2025)

• Independent Methodist Churches official website. Available at: imchurches.org.uk (Accessed: December 2, 2025)

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: WILLIAM BURROWS EDUCATION FUND, Charity Number 254007-7. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3970370/charity-overview (Accessed: December 2, 2025)

• Independent Methodist Churches Connexional Officers page. Available at: https://imchurches.org.uk/connexional-officers/ (Accessed: December 2, 2025)